No Wonder Our Family Farms Are Failing

Farm Program Pays $1.3 Billion to People Who Don't Farm

While I see a necessity to subsidize some agriculture, especially family farmers, I cannot fathom subsidizing agricultural production where there is an established pattern of profit (i.e. tobacco) or a significant corporate structure supporting the endeavors (i.e. Monsanto, Del Monte, Dole, MDA, etc)... and even more unfathomable is the idea of paying people who are not actively farming. A bundle of money like $1.3 Billion could be used for roads, schools, health care or even paying down some of our over-reaching and ever-growing deficit.

Even though Donald R. Matthews put his sprawling new residence in the heart of rice country, he is no farmer. He is a 67-year-old asphalt contractor who wanted to build a dream house for his wife of 40 years.

Yet under a federal agriculture program approved by Congress, his 18-acre suburban lot receives about $1,300 in annual "direct payments," because years ago the land was used to grow rice.

Matthews is not alone. Nationwide, the federal government has paid at least $1.3 billion in subsidies for rice and other crops since 2000 to individuals who do no farming at all, according to an analysis of government records by The Washington Post.

Way out of line... just ask any reasonable person.